Following the recent guilty plea of band associate Jed Gordon for a sex offense involving a minor, Parkway Drive’s Winston McCall has issued a heartfelt apology via the band’s Instagram page, expressing the band’s emotions regarding the events and elaborating beyond their initial statement.

It was disclosed that Jed Daniel Gordon, a long-time member of the group’s merchandise team and a relative of drummer Ben Gordon, pleaded guilty in a court proceeding for engaging in sexual intercourse with a minor aged between 14 and 16. Over the weekend, the band released a statement condemning his actions, addressing his association with the group and announcing the termination of his contract. However, after facing criticism for the brevity of their statement, singer Winston McCall recorded a video to share his thoughts on the issue.

What Did Winston McCall Say About Parkway Drive’s Thoughts on Jed Gordon’s Actions?

While the band’s initial statement expressed support for the victim, McCall’s video on Instagram conveyed deeper emotions and seriousness regarding their stance.

“First and foremost, we support the victim. We support her 100 percent. She deserves justice, space, time, and to be heard. After 20 years of trauma, I cannot imagine what that must feel like,” the singer shared emotionally.

“Secondly, we condemn this without hesitation. If our initial response left any doubt about that, I want to clarify — this is unacceptable. This is unacceptable and this is Jed’s reckoning to answer for. He will face consequences,” he added.

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McCall continued, “We employed him for a long time and placed him in situations where he interacted with many people. It’s our moral responsibility to acknowledge this. We recognize it and we accept it. We always try to see the best in people, but sometimes that leads to being blind to the worst. To anyone who had negative experiences with Jed while [he was] employed with us, we sincerely apologize.

“We were aware he could have issues with people; however, there’s no excuse for our reaction. I apologize for that, but we were unaware of the extent of his behavior. We were completely blindsided by this situation. The band learned about this through screenshots of court dates and documents circulating online. We are still discovering new information from an Sydney Morning Herald article we were part of yesterday.”

“If our initial response seemed cold, I want to clarify that was never our intention. We take this situation very seriously and recognize our position as a prominent band with family connections; we did not want to jeopardize the justice system or impede it. However, we understand if people felt there was a lack of warmth in our communication, and if we hurt someone, we apologize for that. This is us emphasizing the human aspect of it.”

Winston McCall Makes a Plea to the Music Scene

The Parkway Drive singer dedicated part of his message to discussing the community from which the band emerged and their efforts to create a better environment for all. He addressed both male and female members of the music community directly.

“To women: you deserve safety, to be heard, seen, and respected. Every person watching this knows a sexual assault survivor; you may not realize it, but you do. Every woman in your life has faced sexual harassment; it’s unacceptable. If this is heartbreaking, it should be heartbreaking. This is a societal issue rooted in culture that needs to change,” he stated.

“As men, we need to improve. We must stand up and be better. I’m not suggesting all men are bad or horrible; I’m not generalizing everyone. I’m simply stating that communities must reflect internally during these moments, take responsibility, and act — that’s how improvement occurs,” McCall emphasized.

“To women in this scene: you are valued and essential. You are welcome here. To men in this scene: do not tolerate inappropriate behavior. Speaking up can be challenging; I find it difficult even with a microphone in front of me. But we must do it. Look at your friends and peers; ask tough questions and speak out — that’s how change happens,” he concluded.

“This music has always meant more than just sound to me; it’s about community. Communities must take responsibility and accountability. This is what our band stands for: community — it always has and always will,” McCall concluded. The full video can be viewed below.

Gordon is set for sentencing on May 19; however, the outcome following his guilty plea remains undetermined.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, resources are available for help. Visit the RAINN website (Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network) or call 800-656-HOPE (800-656-4673).